As noted here earlier this month, a group led by Bill Ahtes wants the city of Salisbury to donate the soon to be retired Station 16 to them for purposes of turning the building into a theater. Lest we all forget, we have already gone through this once before with the Boulevard Theatre on Main Street.
In this morning's Daily Times was an article about the auctioning off of mementos from the Boulevard and how this was to benefit SWAC, the Salisbury-Wicomico Arts Council. Buried in what was meant to be a warm and snuggly story about the arts community in Wicomico County were some interesting bits of information that should cause the Salisbury City Council to pause before handing over a valuable piece of real estate to Mr. Ahtes and his group.
To be fair, let's get all of the players straight. SWAC was the beneficiary of the Boulevard Theatre. Mr. Ahtes' group claims to be a different organization. While I am sure that legally, this is a different entity, it seems like pretty much the same bunch of folks.
Mr. Ahtes and company want to change Station 16 into a theater. Sounds great! How much will it cost? According to today's article, SWAC was able to raise only $25,135 over a 5 year period for the renovation of the Boulevard. Does Mr. Ahtes provide any evidence that his little salon will be able to raise much more money, in a shorter period of time?
To quote James Gillespie, Executive Director of SWAC:
The money SWAC received for selling the Boulevard ($175,190) is sitting at the Community Foundation. Is SWAC (which of course isn't related to Mr. Ahtes' group) planning on shelling out a significant portion of their "Wicomico County Endowment for the Arts" for this project? If so, what about the school children?
Wouldn't the citizens of Salisbury be better served by putting Station 16 on the tax rolls? Would they be better served by a for-profit business that employs people an pays taxes?
For a town of Salisbury's size there is ample theater space available. SU, Wor-Wic, Wi-Hi. Those are just the ones I know of personally. I don't know what's available at Parkside and I deliberately left out Bennett because of the new school construction.
As for now, the proposal is tabled, but keep an eye out. As soon as Barrie Tilghman and her compadres think that they can slide it through, they will.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, Barrie Tilghman, Louise Smith, culture
In this morning's Daily Times was an article about the auctioning off of mementos from the Boulevard and how this was to benefit SWAC, the Salisbury-Wicomico Arts Council. Buried in what was meant to be a warm and snuggly story about the arts community in Wicomico County were some interesting bits of information that should cause the Salisbury City Council to pause before handing over a valuable piece of real estate to Mr. Ahtes and his group.
To be fair, let's get all of the players straight. SWAC was the beneficiary of the Boulevard Theatre. Mr. Ahtes' group claims to be a different organization. While I am sure that legally, this is a different entity, it seems like pretty much the same bunch of folks.
Mr. Ahtes and company want to change Station 16 into a theater. Sounds great! How much will it cost? According to today's article, SWAC was able to raise only $25,135 over a 5 year period for the renovation of the Boulevard. Does Mr. Ahtes provide any evidence that his little salon will be able to raise much more money, in a shorter period of time?
To quote James Gillespie, Executive Director of SWAC:
"There are a number of people in the community who characterize the Boulevard Theater as a failed project, but it raised our awareness of how much the community wants a performing arts theater," Gillespie said. "We offered to return any donations or keep them to put (in the fund)."The "community" wants a theater so badly that they were willing to pony up only a little over $5,000 a year?
The money SWAC received for selling the Boulevard ($175,190) is sitting at the Community Foundation. Is SWAC (which of course isn't related to Mr. Ahtes' group) planning on shelling out a significant portion of their "Wicomico County Endowment for the Arts" for this project? If so, what about the school children?
Wouldn't the citizens of Salisbury be better served by putting Station 16 on the tax rolls? Would they be better served by a for-profit business that employs people an pays taxes?
For a town of Salisbury's size there is ample theater space available. SU, Wor-Wic, Wi-Hi. Those are just the ones I know of personally. I don't know what's available at Parkside and I deliberately left out Bennett because of the new school construction.
As for now, the proposal is tabled, but keep an eye out. As soon as Barrie Tilghman and her compadres think that they can slide it through, they will.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, Barrie Tilghman, Louise Smith, culture
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Is Mr. Gillespie the same guy that Bill Ahtes backed for clerk of circuit court in the election in 2006, even though he has no experience in that job whatsoever, and conducted himself reprehensively on numerous occasions during the election campaign?
ReplyDeleteThey are a "dangerous duo" to be sure. My guess is that there's a job for someone (guess who) in this scheme.
The City is running on empty financially, so put the building on the market and sell to the best bidder. Use the money to save the Zoo or other things, but don't give it away to anyone.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't this station become the "City Hall" that Barrie wants?
ReplyDeletePrime downtown real estate...
ReplyDeleteStupid to give it away or even sell it for chump change.
Look at what a waste selling the Ullman Theater space for pennies on the dollar. Used part-time, part-year, wasted space the rest of the time.
To answer the first anonymous, yes, Ahtes backed Gillespie. Don't know anything about Gillespie behaving reprehensively during the campaign, but if you've got some good examples, maybe you should share.
All I know about Mr. Gillespie is that he was unemployed during the campaign and was in desperate need of an $85,000 a year job. The best Candidate won back the seat. Good job Mark. Glad to see Mr. Gillespie finally found a job. He has a beautiful wife that stood by his side during the campaign. They both seem to be very nice and enjoyable people.
ReplyDeleteGillespies beautiful wife hit the road jack. Rumor has it he is a little light in the loafers.
ReplyDeleteYes, he is one and the same that Ahtes backed for clerk of court. As if he could unseat Mark Bowen. Keep up the good work Mark considering the antiquated system you have to work with, you and your office is doing a fine job.